1, 2, 3 Windows Security

Introduction

You may have probably heard that windows is insecure, or that there is some new virus pillaging and raping every windows system around the world, or maybe your security was compromised, your files were lost, or some other tragedy hit you where it hurts. To make things worse, you are browsing the web and you get a message telling you that your computer is insecure, and you have to pay company XXX to secure it for you, and all your woes will be gone.

Well, there is bad news. None of these companies can help you, and if you have already bought one of their products, I want you to slap yourself behind the head repeatedly chanting "I will not fall for corporate brainwashing".

Now that we have sorted that out, the question still remains. How do I secure myself? The simple answer to this question is that it starts with you, if you are sensible, and understand a little security, you will quickly be on your way to being secure. A part of being secure is by not falling for little tricks that both corporate companies use and intruders.

The dangers

 

Spy Ware

Spy ware is simple. It lies in your system gathering seemingly useless information about you. It invades your privacy according to law, but it usually doesn't get your bank details and the pictures that you hide on your computer(you know what I'm talking about!!!). Spy ware does present a whole different security risk though. It creates holes and loopholes that can be exploited, It makes your computer unstable sometimes, it sits in your memory wasting space and CPU cycles. Spy ware is created primarily by internet marketing companies(those corporate &^*)*(!!!). Sometimes you install spy ware without knowing it, and it's even legal. The fact is you can't read every UELA* you encounter, and some of them are long just to dog you into getting something you don't want.

Ad ware

Ad ware programs are free, provided you live with popup ads and banners in the program. This way the developers get paid and the program is free. Ad ware is usually not dangerous. If ad ware programs install spy ware however, they are dangerous , for the above mentioned reasons. Ad ware is harmless, and you should generally not be afraid of it, some really good ad ware programs exist today.

Virus's And Worms

The stuff that makes your computer cough and sneeze. No really, virus's are relatively self explanatory. Virus's are meant to destroy a system or some aspect of the system. A worm is a program that duplicates itself across a system.

Trojans/RATs

A trojan, just like the Trojan horse, is a program disguised as something harmless, but allows an attacker to access your information, including passwords and files. I am not familiar with modern trojans, but some older trojans include: Sub7, NetBus, and Back Orifice. The greatest irony of trojans are that many of them are developed in such a way that anyone who uses them gives access to their files to the anyone who is looking for it.

Remote administration tools are sometimes used for their intended purpose, like pc anywhere could be called a RAT, but this term is intermixed with trojan, so I wouldn't go downloading RAT's if I was you.

The Operating system itself

Windows and iexplore have had many security issues over the years, and many of these included ones that allowed attackers to access your files.

Where Security Begins

Security begins in your mind. Don't understand? let me put it to you this way. If you walk in a dark alley in a bad neighbourhood, your bound to run into trouble. Moral of the story, stay away from anything that seems illegitimate. I know this is hard for some, so let me rephrase the previous analogue.If your going to walk in a dark alley in a bad neighbourhood, you'd better be armed to the teeth. The first weapon : Knowledge

Passwords: The First Barrier:

Passwords are the primary defense against intrusion, so choose your passwords carefully, your pet's name is not a good idea, neither is your birthday. The best passwords are ones that make no sense at all, and include funny characters like ~!@#$%^&*(). Here are some guidelines for choosing passwords

• Choose one you will be able to remember somehow, or store it in a safe(physical) place
• The longer the better, unless your trying to remember it
• Don't use personal info
• Don't use dictionary words

The Firewall

Hook yourself up with a powerful firewall, I would recommend Sunbelt Kerio personal firewall , this firewall has 2 modes, When your installing select the learning mode, or advanced mode. You will then see a dialog box pop up whenever you access an internet application. If your sure you want to allow that application to use the connection you can click create rule. Soon all your applications will be setup, and you will be safer. Remember that during the period where your setting it up you have to carefully check whether your not allowing something bad in.

The Anti virus

An anti virus is an integral tool for keeping your system safe. AVG is a good anti virus, that does pretty much everything for you automatically. It updates itself VIA the internet or a file that you have gotten somewhere else.

Anti Spy ware software

Spy ware will always find a way to creep into your system if your browsing the web, or even if your just installing applications.Lavasoft Adaware personal edition is a cool anti spy ware program that updates itself, scans for spy ware, and destroys it.

A Password Safe

A password safe uses an encrypted file to store passwords. If you have many passwords you can use a utility such as this to store your passwords with one master password, making remembering passwords a problem of the past. Beware of choosing a good master password though, because if someone gets a hold of your master password, they may well get access to all your other passwords too. I would recommend KeePass Password Safe .

A Trojan scanner

This utility will scan your system for trojans and keyloggers, and will find and destroy them. If your firewall is installed and you keep a close eye on security, you don't really need this, but if your super paranoid, why not give it a try?

Click here if you are a modem user This is very important

The End

With all that said remember to keep your programs up to date, and be wary of scams and dodgy web sites. The easiest way to break into someone's personal files is not by by breaking encryption or finding backdoors, but by fooling them into somehow giving you access. Often friends and family members can also be the culprits.